United States: Air Force Good Conduct Medal. With 4 x silver 'Oakleaf Clusters' on riband. Circa 1980-1990 issue

The silver 'Oakleaf Clusters' denotes that the recipient has been awarded a further 20 x awards of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal = total of 21 x AFGCM's. The AFGCM is generally awarded for 3 years service - reduced to 1 years service in times of 'War'. Since 1990, the Gulf War 1990-1991, and the War Against Terror 2001-to present day', have been designated times of war!

Medal riband fitted with 12mm 'Crimp Brooch' riband mounting bar, this retaining the original intricate drop-lock and long-hinged pin & clasp fittings as issued

The 12mm 'Crimp Brooch' with Federal Government contractors hallmark / makers mark for 'M - GI'

The medal was authorized by Congress on 6 July 1960, but was not created until 1 June 1963. Air Force personnel were issued the Army Good Conduct Medal between 1947 and 1963 and for those serving both before and after 1963, the Army and Air Force Good Conduct Medals could be worn simultaneously on an Air Force uniform.

The criteria for award of the Air Force Good Conduct medal are as follows: It is awarded to Air Force enlisted personnel during a three-year period of active military service or for a one-year period of service during a time of war. Those airmen who were awarded this medal must have had character and efficiency ratings of excellent or higher throughout the qualifying period including time spent in attendance at service schools, and there must have been no convictions of court martial or non-judicial punishment during this pe

In October 2005, the 97th Air Force Uniform Board met and considered discontinuing the Good Conduct Medal with the rationale that good conduct of airmen is the expected standard, not an exceptional occurrence worthy of recognition. The decision was finalized on 8 February 2006 and the medal was no longer issued. Those airmen who had previously earned the Good Conduct Medal were still authorized to wear it. By May 2008, however, Air Force officials began reconsidering the policy. On 11 February 2009, the medal was reinstated and made retroactive to 8 February 2006, with all eligible recipients being awarded the medal automatically

Condition: EF

Code: 22546